French Fries in the Air Fryer
These French Fries in the Air Fryer are golden and crispy on the outside with fluffy centers. Fresh russet potatoes are tossed with olive oil, cornstarch, garlic, salt, and pepper, then air fried until perfectly crisp.
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- vegetable peeler
- large bowl
- paper towels
Ingredients
- 4 medium russet potatoes about 2 pounds, washed and dried
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 385°F.
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into ¼ to ½-inch thick fries using a sharp knife.4 medium russet potatoes
- Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl of cold water and soak for 15-30 minutes to remove excess starch.
- Drain the potatoes and thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels.
- Transfer the dried potatoes to a large bowl. Add all 3 tablespoons olive oil, the cornstarch, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss until the fries are evenly coated.3 tablespoons olive oil, 2-3 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overlap.
- Air fry at 385°F for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the fries 2-3 times during cooking for even browning. Cook until the fries are golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer the fries to a baking sheet lined with paper towels and allow them to cool for 1-2 minutes.
- Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately with BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or your favorite dipping sauces.2 tablespoons fresh parsley, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Notes
🥡 Storage
- Allow leftover French fries to cool before storing them.
- Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- For the best texture, don't leave cooked fries sitting at room temperature longer than necessary before storing them.
♨️ Reheating
- The air fryer is the best way to reheat leftover fries and restore some of their crispiness.
- Place the fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer when possible.
- Reheat using your air fryer's reheating setting until the fries are hot and crispy.
- Avoid the microwave when crispiness is important since it tends to make leftover fries soft.
❄️ Freezing
- Freezing the finished fries is not recommended for this recipe. Their texture is best when they're freshly cooked or refrigerated and reheated.
- For a freezer-friendly option, commercially prepared frozen French fries can be cooked directly from frozen in the air fryer according to the package directions.
💡 Tips for Best Results
- Cut the potatoes as evenly as possible so they cook at the same rate.
- Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 15-30 minutes to remove excess surface starch.
- Dry the potatoes very thoroughly before adding the oil and seasonings. Remaining moisture can prevent the fries from getting crispy.
- Toss the potatoes with the full 3 tablespoons olive oil so they're evenly coated.
- Don't skip the cornstarch. It helps create a crisp, golden exterior.
- Arrange the fries in a single layer and avoid overlapping them.
- Shake the basket or flip the fries 2-3 times during cooking for more even browning.
- Keep an eye on the fries toward the end of the cooking time. Thinner fries may cook faster.
- Serve immediately for the crispiest texture.
🍳 Alternate Cooking Methods
- Frozen French fries: Store-bought frozen fries can be cooked directly from frozen in the air fryer. Follow the temperature and cooking time recommended on the package.
- Instant Pot with air fryer function: An Instant Pot equipped with an air fryer lid or air frying function can be used. Follow the same general method while adjusting the cooking time as needed for your appliance.
♻️ Leftovers
- Reheat leftover fries in the air fryer and serve them again as a side dish.
- Serve reheated fries alongside burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken tenders, or steak.
- Turn leftover fries into loaded fries by adding cheese and your favorite toppings.
📝 Notes
- Air fryer models vary, so the exact cooking time may differ slightly.
- Cut the fries approximately ¼ to ½ inch thick.
- Thicker fries may require additional cooking time.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the fries in batches.
- Fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese are optional.
- Potato starch can be substituted for cornstarch.
- Yukon Gold potatoes can be substituted for russet potatoes, although the finished texture may differ.
- Vegetable oil, canola oil, truffle oil, or another preferred cooking oil can be substituted for olive oil.
Nutrition
Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 994mg | Potassium: 927mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 227IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 2mg
